both failed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both failed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two subjects or entities that did not succeed in a particular task or situation. Example: "After reviewing the project outcomes, it was clear that both failed to meet the expected standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Both failed.

The New York Times

Both failed miserably.

Forbes

Both failed early.

The New York Times - Sports

Both failed in 1918.

The New Yorker

Both failed to interest consumers.

The New York Times

Both failed, and miserably".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Both fail, but the engineers and politicians fail less often.

The New York Times - Books

Separately both fail to examine the issue holistically.

Nurse Education Today

Note that if either one of both fails, the entire transmission cycle was flagged as failed.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

They would either both fail, both win or both get very old.

Wikipedia

Both operations failed after members of both cells were arrested.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "both failed", ensure the context clearly establishes what "both" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. For example, "The initial strategies were promising, but "both failed" to address the core issue".

Common error

Avoid using "both failed" when referring to more than two subjects or entities. "All three candidates applied for the job, but both failed" is grammatically incorrect; it should be "all failed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both failed" functions as a conjunction phrase indicating that two distinct subjects or attempts did not achieve the intended outcome. It is frequently used to convey a lack of success, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both failed" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that indicates the lack of success of two distinct entities or attempts. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. To improve writing quality, ensure the referents of "both" are clear and distinct. Alternatives such as "neither succeeded" and "both were unsuccessful" provide stylistic variation. Overall, understanding its proper usage contributes to clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both were unsuccessful

Replaces "failed" with a more formal synonym, "unsuccessful".

neither succeeded

Emphasizes the absence of success for either subject.

both proved ineffective

Highlights the lack of desired effect or outcome.

both attempts were fruitless

Focuses on the lack of positive results from specific efforts.

both endeavors came to naught

Uses a more literary expression to convey complete failure.

both efforts were in vain

Emphasizes the wasted effort in the attempts.

both fell short

Indicates that both did not reach a required standard or target.

both were ineffectual

Similar to "ineffective", but can imply a deeper lack of capability.

both were abortive

Highlights that the attempts were cut short, before they could succeed.

both miscarried

Implies that plans were badly managed and failed to achieve their goal.

FAQs

How can I use "both failed" in a sentence?

You can use "both failed" to indicate that two separate attempts, individuals, or entities did not succeed. For example, "The negotiations and the mediation "both failed" to resolve the dispute".

What are some alternatives to saying "both failed"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "neither succeeded", "both were unsuccessful", or "both proved ineffective", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "both failed"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "both failed" when referring to two distinct subjects that did not achieve a desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples.

What's the difference between saying "both failed" and "neither succeeded"?

While similar, "both failed" directly states the failure of two entities, while "neither succeeded" emphasizes the lack of success from either one individually. They are largely interchangeable but carry slightly different connotations.